Reply to CHARTERS MAY MERGE AT WALTER REED (The DC International School, IB Diploma Programme)

Forum Index » DC Public and Public Charter Schools

Reply to "CHARTERS MAY MERGE AT WALTER REED (The DC International School, IB Diploma Programme)"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
We are a happy Mundo Verde family, and right now Basis looks a lot more attractive than DCI only because I am not sure that I want my children exposed to the negativity that YY seems to bring on itself.  [b]We avoided applying for YY because of the negativity online.   
[/b]
Although it seems ridiculous to judge based on anonymous comments, there are so many overly defensive comments that it seems likely that this is a top-down issue, and I don't want to be involved with a school that spews that much negativity and resentment.  I understand that they have taken a lot of risks and done a remarkable thing by creating this program from scratch, and they are to be lauded for that, but that doesn't cancel out the tone that they bring to each conversation.  It is my responsibilty as a parent (even more than providing a good academic education, and certainly more providing than a good immersion education even though that is a high priority for us) to see that my children become good, happy people who can communicate rationally and calmly help to resolve differences.  This is something that I am afraid they will not get at YY, given the way all criticism is received.

I sincerely hope that Mundo Verde, which has the exact opposite feeling, can help to even out the tone of DCI, as it seems like it could be an absolutely wonderful program.[/quote]

Really?  You did not apply to a school b/c of comments you read online.  LOL!  YY was the only public school, charter or DCPS, we applied to because we wanted Chinese and we chose it over a well regarded private.  But we're from NYC - which also has something similar to DCUM called Urbanbaby -  meaner, nastier about everything but especially schools, public, private.  Everyone would only home school or move if online comments were the criteria for schools.

So we're at YY.  My child loves the school and had a fantastic preK yr.  Great facilities, nice welcoming families, DS can read and speak Mandarin which he could not when he started there.  Wonderful classmates/peers.  No complaints and very glad we are there.  If DCI goes as planned, IB diploma for high school, DS may stay instead of going to a private boarding school which is family tradition - we'll see what happens...[/quote]
I know Urban Baby well, but it is a different animal.  I have never seen comments on Urban Baby that I would even think to attribute to any administration.  But, there are many here about YY that seem to be coming from somewhere internal to the organization.

I am glad that you are having a wonderful experience.  Reports of this type are wonderful for everyone involved.  I wish more YY supporters would concentrate more on that than on being defensive.  I have never questioned whether it is a good school, but the (almost, yours is not) constant negative tone that supporters invoke when dicussing issues/potential issues/different viewpoints makes me concerned that it may not be a good place for children to learn conflict management skills.  [/quote]

Please post back in a few years when MV become the latest school attacked.  You stated that you would consider Basis over DCI, well get ready to defend your choices and Basis from all the negative attacks from people who think they know what's going on in the outside while they stand 100,000 feet on the outside.  Basis is already under attack and the school has yet to open.  I guess you can call the soon-to-be parents at Basis defensive as well.  The Basis threads have been as horrible as YY, but I guess it is far easier to be a part of the problem instead of the solution.  Again, check back in a couple of years and report back when you actually have some experience under your belt.  This is only MV's first year, and your kid isn't at Basis yet.[/quote]

I agree that there will always be haters at some point with regard to every school, but the issue is how the school and community reacts to that criticism.  Basis has been under attack, but I don't think that the supporters have been as hostile as the YY supporters.  They believe in a controversial school, so they continue to support it to the chagrin of those opposed to the concept, but they do so by discussing the issues instead of by resorting instantly to he said/she said.  Some people are strongly opposed to the school, but those supporting it have (at least for the most part, I am sure there is some exception that proves the rule) stuck to the issues without crying foul on every thread that even mentions education.  These are tough issues, and there is no right answer, but I don't understand how frequent, hostile, defensive remarks helps anyone.

As for where my children will end up, it isn't clear.  I think that it is wonderful that there may be options, and I think we should all just concentrate on how great it is that people at all of the schools have provided us with a real ability to discuss options for good public education available to people from all parts of the city.  That wasn't possible just a few years ago.  Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this possible, and to everyone who will continue to do so as this process continues.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics